Golden Week charters to fly in 2,201 more tourists

A total of 10 charter flights will be operated by Continental Airlines and Japan Airlines for Golden Week, bringing in an additional 2,201 airlines seats to the Commonwealth during the April 25 to May 5 high-peak travel period for Japanese travelers.

Continental Airlines will operate a total of seven charter flights during Golden Week, three of which are to the CNMI’s southernmost chain, Rota.

The carrier’s charters to Saipan will originate from Chitose on May 2, Sendai on May 4, Hiroshima on May 5, and Okayama on May 6.

The Rota charters, meanwhile, will all originate from Narita on April 27, 30 and May 4. Continental Airlines will use Boeing 737 aircraft for its Rota charters. Each plane has a capacity for 155 passengers.

Japan Airlines’ charters, on the other hand, will all originate from Haneda and will fly to Saipan on April 26, 29, and May 3. Each plane will be a 372-seat Boeing 747 aircraft.

“Collectively these charters are bringing an additional 2,201 seats into the CNMI from Japan. MVA will greet each of these flights with shell lei greetings,” said the Marianas Visitors Authority in a statement.

MVA managing director Perry Tenorio is elated with the 10 charter flights from Japan.

“We are very pleased to have the additional seats out of our No. 1 source market of Japan,” he said. “Although the lack of airline seats into the CNMI still continue, these charter flights provide positive economic benefits for our islands.”

Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays within seven days. In combination with well-placed weekends, Golden Week becomes one of Japan’s three busiest holiday seasons beside New Year and Obon week.

The four national holidays celebrated during Golden Week, according to www.japan-guide.com, are Showa Day on April 29, Constitution Day on May 3, Greenery Day on May 4, and Children’s Day on May 5.

Showa Day (Showa no hi) is the birthday of former Emperor Showa (Emperor Hirohito), who died in 1989. Until 2006, Greenery Day used to be celebrated on this day.

Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi), meanwhile, celebrates the new post war constitution that was put into effect in May 3, 1947.

Until 2006, Greenery Day (Midori no hi) used to be celebrated on April 29, the birthday of former Emperor Showa. The day is dedicated to the environment and nature, because the emperor loved plants and nature. Before being declared Greenery Day, May 4 used to be a national holiday due to a law, which declares a day that falls between two national holidays, a national holiday.

Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi) is actually the Boys Festival (Tango no Sekku). Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls—both symbolizing strength, power, and success in life. The Girls Festival is celebrated on March 3.